FTC Sees No Proof Mosquito Bands Work

(CN) – The Federal Trade Commission charged the maker of an alleged mosquito repellent wristband with making deceptive and unsubstantiated claims about its product. In a complaint filed in the Chattanooga, Tenn. Federal Court, the agency says claims by Viatek Consumer Products Group and its principal, Lou Lentine, that their wristbands protect wearers from mosquito bites are not backed up by scientific evidence. The lawsuit also claims the company violated provisions of a 2003 administrative order barring it from making deceptive claims about any product it sells. According to the agency, the wristbands, which contain mint oil, are purported to create a five-foot vapor barrier that will protect the wearer from mosquitoes for 96 to 120 hours. . The FTC contends, however, that the defendants did not have competent and reliable scientific evidence to back up these claims. The agency is seeking injunctive relief, as well as civil penalties and funds appropriate to provide refunds to consumers. Viatek did not immediately respond to a request for comment.